Nahahum Canyon-Radio Tower Route

The view from above the Nahahum Canyon communication site is to Cashmere what the view from Saddle Rock is to Wenatchee – an easily accessible viewpoint above the city for hikers and walkers of all ability levels. The gated road to the top rarely, if ever, gets motorized use and has overgrown to the point of being a nice trail width. The viewpoint panorama stretches from Wenatchee to the east, across orchards west to the Enchantments, and downward to Highway 2 and Cashmere a swan dive below. While the road itself is public, much of the land bordering it is not, so be sure to stay on the main routes described here.

Maps. See our topo map. Note: Use ‘Print Preview’ to orient/scale the map before printing.

Activity: Hiking, running. The route would also be pleasant, albeit very short, on a mountain bike.

Nearest Town: Cashmere.

Skill: 1

Cashmere home views from the radio tower. Not bad.

Fitness: 1

Distance: 3.6 miles RT

Elevation Gain: 600 feet.

Best Seasons. The route can be done year round and makes for a good shoulder-season outing, or a good early morning or late evening walk in the summer.

Access. From Wenatchee, drive Highway 2 west until the Nahahum Canyon Rd turnoff at the light just east of Milepost 111. Look for the Nahahum Canyon sign. Turn right onto the road, following it for exactly one mile (just past the Mile 1 marker), where there are a series of pullouts on the right side of the road, adjacent to an old quarry. Park here.

Trip Instructions. Walk along Nahahum Canyon Rd, just past the second gate for the old quarry, and locate a narrow dirt road starting on your right. This is the trail. In 0.2 miles, pass a gate blocking the road to motorized vehicles. For the next mile, the road gradually climbs up the side of the canyon, making one big switchback, reaching a broad saddle at 1.2 miles. A spur trail veers right, climbing to the Point 1960 just above. Note the ‘No Trespassing’ signs just north, off of the road. Respect them. Continue following the smooth, pleasantly graded road for 0.6 miles to it’s end, a small radio tower on a bench above Cashmere. If you find the radio tower to be interrupting your vista, look back to see a narrow spur trail climbing the hill just behind you. You can hike this to the top of Point 1960, and then descend to the saddle reached earlier. From there, return the way you came.

Allowed. Any non-motorized mode of transportation is allowed.

Land Ownership. The route is primarily on Wenatchee NF and BLM land. Avoid straying from the road or spur trail to Point 1960, as there are large parcels of private land bordering to the north and east.

Leave It Better than You Found It. This should be every user’s goal. Pick up trash left by others, pull noxious weeds along your route, throw branches over unwanted spur trails, etc.

Disclaimer. Treat this information as recommendations, not gospel. Conditions change and those contributing these reports are volunteers–they may make mistakes or not know all the issues affecting a route. You are responsible for yourself, your actions, and your safety. If you won’t accept that responsibility, you are prohibited from using our information.